Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Cavitating Flows over a Modified NACA0009 Foil

Paper in proceeding, 2018

In this study, the cavitating flow over a modified NACA0009 foil has been investigated using experimental and numerical methods. In the experimental investigation, high-speed visualization is used to study the behavior of the cavitating flow at 𝜎 = 1.2, 𝛼 = 5, 𝑈 = 20𝑚/𝑠. In order to identify the location of erosive collapse, a preliminary soft paint test is performed. In the numerical part of this study, the flow condition subjected to the soft paint study is simulated with Large Eddy Simulation using a mixture assumption coupled with the Schnerr-Sauer mass transfer model. In order to validate the simulation, the numerical results are compared with experimental high-speed visualization of the flow at the same condition. These comparisons show that the numerical simulation is capable of reproducing the main features of the cavitating flow. The validated numerical results and the high-speed visualization are then used to explain the hydrodynamic mechanism of erosive events that have been identified in the experimental investigation.